Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of chronic disability. The Arizona Health Sciences Center is actively involved in the comprehensive care of patients with stroke and related disorders.
The Comprehensive Stroke Program (CSP) was developed to coordinate three major areas relating to stroke: patient care, education, and research. A major focus of the CSP is stroke prevention. The CSP brings together the combined expertise of physicians in a number of medical specialties, as well as medical personnel involved in rehabilitation, therapy, and nutrition.
The Comprehensive Stroke Program serves as a source of information regarding stroke and related disorders, both for the general public and medical personnel. A series of lectures provides up-to-date information and recent stroke news. Literature on stroke-related topics is available to the public. The CSP also provides training opportunities for medical students and residents to learn more about stroke.
Stroke Clinic is held in the outpatient clinic of the Department of Neurology located at 707 N. Alvernon. Patients are referred for symptoms related to stroke, for stroke prevention, for follow-up after discharge from the hospital, or for stroke rehabilitation. Patients followed as part of a clinical trial are seen in the stroke research lab, in the UMC Neurology Department on the 6th floor.
Patients are evaluated initially by a physician specializing in stroke. Consultation from other specialists is obtained as needed. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and nutritionists are an important part of the "team."
Additional diagnostic tests may be ordered necessary. Arizona Health Sciences Center has a state-of-the-art neuroimaging center which includes CT scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography and digital angiography. Functional neuroimaging such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is also available.
All care is carried out in concert with the patient's primary physician, who becomes a external member of the team. After evaluation is completed and results are reviewed with the patient, a detailed summary is sent to the primary physician.
Since 1981, specialists from Neurology, Vascular Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Neuroradiology have met weekly to review the care of patients with stroke and related disorders. This unique approach provides patients with the combined expertise of these specialists. The consensus of the conference is communicated to the patient and to the primary physician.
The Cerebrovascular Laboratory utilizes sophisticated non-invasive ultrasound technology to evaluate the blood vessels of the head. Without causing discomfort or risk to the patient, Duplex Ultrasound with color flow imaging examines the carotid arteries (the large vessels in the neck) for atherosclerosis and narrowing. The laboratory is one of the few in the Southwest with Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound, a new technique which allows non-invasive identification of narrowing, spasm, or occlusion of vessels inside the head.
The Arizona Health Sciences Center is actively involved in research studies for stroke prevention and treatment including:
Director
Bruce M. Coull, MD
Department of Neurology
Arizona Health Sciences Center
Tucson, AZ 85724
(520) 626-4147
Stroke Program Research Specialist
Mina Malekniazi, RN
Department of Neurology
Arizona Health Sciences Center
Tucson, AZ 85724
(520) 626-4150
